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How do you convert a Core Storage volume to SoftRAID?

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(@dvman)
Posts: 3
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Topic starter
 

I am trying to convert my volume to SoftRAID, but the Convert function is grayed out. I notice that this volume has something different about it, in the SoftRAID volume tile, it shows "Core Storage Volume".

I didn't make a Core Storage volume, so I don't know hot it ended up like this.

This is not a Fusion drive and it is neither encrypted nor an Apple RAID volume.

Ii am confused why it shows Core Storage, and how do I convert this volume to SoftRAID?

 
Posted : 14/06/2016 5:42 pm
(@softraid-support)
Posts: 8008
Member Admin
 

Starting with Mavericks, OS X started shipping some drives in Core Storage format (or converting them when upgrading to Mavericks).

At this time we cannot directly convert a Core Storage volume to SoftRAID.
However, there is a straightforward process where you can convert your Core Storage volume to a standard HFS volume. Then SoftRAID can convert it.

Below are the steps to change your volume to a normal Apple non-RAID volume so that you can Convert it to SoftRAID format.

You will need to use the terminal.app to perform this task.

Limitations:
SoftRAID cannot convert a "fusion" drive or an encrypted volume to SoftRAID.

if you have more than one Core Storage disk, the correct disk to convert must be identified.
We recommend this process only when you have exactly one Core Storage volume in your system.

If you have a Core Storage Startup Volume:
If this is a Mac OS boot volume, you cannot be started up from this volume.
Install OS X onto a Thumbdrive and startup from the Thumbdrive in order to convert this Core Storage volume to a standard non RAID Apple volume.

Instructions:

1. Run the terminal.app (in the /Applications/Utilities folder)
Paste or Type in the command below, exactly:

diskutil cs list

2. Read the output
There are a few "indented" lines of text.
Look for the following:
Revertible: Yes

If it says No, then your volume is encrypted, is a "fusion" volume, or something else is preventing it from being revertable. This tip cannot help you in that case. If it does say Yes, then you can continue.

3. Obtain the Logical Volume UUID
Look for the following line:
+--> Logical Volume 9SCE45434-R5R3-U77E-7Y69-SDE98SE480

4. Select the text for the Logical Volume number (not the entire line, just the actual character string) and "copy" it with command C.

5. Run this line in terminal:
sudo diskutil cs revert
and paste the Logical Volume number above in.

The line will look something like this:
sudo diskutil cs revert 9SCE45434-R5R3-U77E-7Y69-SDE98SE480
Then hit enter. (you will need your admin password)

The terminal will put out a few lines, ending with:
Finished CoreStorage operation on Disk8 MyVolume

Quit the Terminal.app

6. Now you can run SoftRAID and you will be able to Convert your volume to SoftRAID format.

 
Posted : 14/06/2016 6:03 pm
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